Gas Leaf Blower Restriction Ordinance Coming Soon To Princeton

PRINCETON, NJ — For those bothered by noisy gas leaf blowers, this could come as good news. The township's Sustainable Landscaping Steering Committee presented some key changes to the noise and landscaper registration ordinance recently.

On Monday Councilwoman Eve Niedergang presented the proposed change to Council. Currently, landscaping companies are required to register with the municipality and check a box stating they have proper insurance including workmen compensation.

Under the proposed law, companies will have to provide actual proof of insurance and other paperwork. This was a key recommendation made by landscaping companies and especially workers in the event of an injury. For companies it makes it a “level playing field” said Niedergang.

According to the proposal, the use of Gas Leaf Bowers will be permitted for two months in the fall and two months in the spring. The committee is working on finalizing the dates which will be determined by landscaping companies and employees.

Electric leaf blowers (ELB) will be allowed all times as they are “better for the environment and workers”, said Niedergang.

The committee has also made suggestions on the timings of landscape equipment use. Landscaping equipment including chainsaws will be allowed Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in season. Saturday hours operation will end at 5 p.m. Use of GLB and chainsaws is not allowed on Sundays and on federal holidays. Only emergency use will be allowed. However, this doesn’t apply to homeowners who use electric or other equipment for landscaping – this is only applicable to GLBs and chainsaws.

The committee has also suggested imposing fines to ensure the enforcement of the rules. When someone violates the rule, they receive the first warning. After that, the onus falls on the property owner and landscaping company.

The second offense will see an imposition of a fine – minimum $100 and maximum $500. A fine of a minimum of $100 and a maximum of $1000 will be imposed on the third offense, and by the fourth, the landscaping company could risk disqualification from working in Princeton.

Niedergang said the money collected through fines will be used to benefit landscaping companies and workers, to ease their transition to electric equipment. These small companies will also receive business counseling and coaching on how to run their company with a scientific approach.

Neidergang said the proposed changes will take effect with the passage of the ordinance, which is expected to be ready sometime in September.

After the ordinance is introduced and passed, the landscaping companies will be given a grace period.

An ordinance is expected to be introduced in September with more discussions and public comments to follow.

Princeton’s Sustainable Landscaping Steering Committee includes groups like Sustainable Princeton, Quiet Princeton, Unidad Latina en Accion, and Princeton Environmental Commission. The Committee has been conducting meetings to discuss the matter with residents and landscapers. The Princeton Civil Rights Commission's Racial Equity Toolkit has also been used in the process.

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